So, I'm just reading my scriptures and after a whopping 20 chapters on Moroni (Alma 43-63), I read where he died in one sentence. I thought that unjust, so I researched and wrote a eulogy.
“And it came to pass that Moroni died also.” These 9 words are all that are used to express the death of one of the greatest Book of Mormon heroes ever. How inadequate! I wish to expand these 9 words in this eulogy to Moroni.
Born in 99 B.C., Moroni was quickly noticed because he found so much happiness in the liberty and freedom of his country and was willing to do whatever it takes to liberate his brethren (and probably sisters, too) from bondage and slavery. Due to his dedication and his mighty strength, he was appointed at an early age to become the chief captain over all the armies of the Nephites. Although most of us would feel very out of place as a new chief captain, Moroni did not. During his first encounter with the Lamanites he showed his firmness of faith in Christ to all when he did not rely upon his own understanding of stratagem, but sent spies to the great prophet Alma that he may inquire of the Lord and discover wither they should go. This proved to be overwhelmingly successful. Not only were his armies able to surprise attack the Lamanites, but they were able to commence a dreadful work of death despite the exceedingly great strength and courage of the Lamanites and, after strong spirit-building testimony, were able to defeat the Lamanites in less than one hour. It was during this first encounter that all began to understand Moroni’s commitment to his people’s freedom, land, religion and country and his ability to receive revelation to protect these rights.
You may think that in a man’s life, situations like I’ve just explained happen only once or twice. This is not the case with Moroni. Not only did he defeat the Lamamites at the rivers of Sidon, but also at Zarahemnah, Mulek, Gid, and Nephiahah. Through his commitment to God, he put down insurgencies within his own people twice and was able to fortify and protect many of the Nephite cities, including Ammonihah, Noah and Bountiful against the Lamanites. All of this in 18 years time.
Greater than all of these victories, however, was his ability to rally people together in defense of “our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children.” In fact, upon the renting his coat and creating the Title of Liberty, people came running. In every place during his military campaigns he stressed the importance of the Title of Liberty and gathered great armies who were as he, who did not delight in the shedding of blood, but in doing good, preserving people, keeping the commandments and in resisting iniquity.
Truly, his short 43 years were remarkable and at this time of mourning, let us not forget the example he has set for us. Let us not let him die in vain, let us follow what he has done, let us fight for our God, for our religion, for our freedom and peace and for our wives and children. The battle scene may have changed, but the war today is as real as the war in Moroni’s time. Lets us be “strong and mighty” and “perfect in understanding.” Let us pray for hearts that “swell with thanksgiving to [our] God for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed.” Lets us all strive to be just as Moroni was, so that the very powers of hell would be shaken forever and that the devil would no longer have power over the hearts of the children of men. For if we do, if we can have the courage that Moroni had to stand up for what’s right, if we can have the faith to receive revelatory stratagem against the opposing forces, and if we can have his dedication to keeping the commandments with exactness, then I believe that we will soon live in a time happier than all, even since the days of Nephi and Moroni.
Very nice Jason!
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